Pete Hegseth moves to end 100-year Pentagon partnership with Boy Scouts over gender policies

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly preparing to sever a century old relationship between the US military and the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, now called Scouting America. 

He argues that the group has abandoned its traditional roots in favor of gender-neutral policies and "woke" ideology.

According to a draft memo to Congress obtained by NPR, Hegseth contends that the Scouts are no longer a merit‑based institution.

Pete Hegseth’s case against Boy Scouts

In the memo, Hegseth accuses Scouting America of becoming “genderless” and claims the organization is structured to “attack boy‑friendly spaces.” 

He argues that turning the Scouts into a gender‑neutral association undermines the mission of teaching young people responsibility, resilience, and leadership.

"The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys," Hegseth said,

He further states that the group is no longer meritocratic. “Scouting America has undergone a significant transformation,” the memo says, adding that the group “is no longer a meritocracy which holds its members accountable to meet high standards.” 

Hegseth also contends that by diverting military resources such as personnel, equipment, and medical services to youth events like the National Jamboree, the Pentagon detracts from more serious national security priorities.

He is reportedly ready to invoke a national‑security exemption to block such support, suggesting that providing aid to the Scouts could in fact harm military readiness.

Hegseth highlighted the Scouts’ 2018 decision to admit girls and their subsequent rebranding as Scouting America, viewing these changes as a departure from the core values he deems essential.

The memo argues that the organization has abandoned its historic role of “cultivating masculine values.”

In his view, Scouting America’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) undermines its capacity to serve as a foundation for developing young men into future leaders and soldiers.

Pete Hegseth’s proposal to end National Jamboree

Hegseth’s proposal would end all Pentagon support for the National Jamboree an event held every few years that draws tens of thousands of Scouts to remote locations.

Previously, the military has provided extensive logistical, medical, and transportation support for the event, including ambulances, medical teams, vehicles, and even aviation demonstrations.

Under the plan, Scout troops would also be barred from meeting on US military bases and overseas installations thus severing long‑standing ties between the organization and service members’ families worldwide.

The proposal is already stirring tension inside the Pentagon.

In one memo sent to the department's Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby, Navy Secretary John Phelan reportedly argue that cutting access to military bases for Scout troops would undermine recruitment and community engagement. 

He warned that restricting support could be “too restrictive,” noting that many naval officers in training come from a Scouting background.

Historically, the relationship has been mutually beneficial, Scouting has been part of the military’s recruiting pipeline, and many enlistees who held Eagle Scout status received advanced rank and pay.

Supporters of the Scouts say the organization has long served as a stabilizing force for military families. One retired staff sergeant, whose children participated in Scouting across multiple bases, said that Scout troops helped his family integrate into new communities every time they relocated.

He expressed concern that ending the Pentagon’s support would send a message that the government no longer cares about such families.